Arin fell into deep thought.
Was he really that disliked by foxes?
The fox demon was like this—
And now even the Nine-Tails was the same.
Then what about his future plans?
How was he supposed to attract fox spirits?
Wasn't one of his life goals—
Completely ruined?
But what puzzled him even more was—
"Mito-sama… why would you so openly tell me that you're a jinchūriki?"
Jinchūriki were classified secrets within the village.
Not just anyone could know.
Though—
Given Arin's current status…
…Right.
He probably did have the clearance.
Still—
No one would normally tell him directly.
Mito smiled, gently placing a hand on her abdomen.
Inside—
A certain tightly bound foolish fox was roaring:
"CURSE HIM TO DEATH!!"
"I hate the look of that guy!!"
"THIS IS MY LIFE'S GREATEST WISH!!"
…Your life's greatest wish is way too cheap.
Arin stared blankly.
So this was the Nine-Tails?
Mito herself seemed to be reevaluating it.
Even the Nine-Tails didn't quite understand.
The moment it saw Arin—
Through Mito's perception—
A deep sense of disgust surged up.
Along with—
A strange urgency.
It wanted to kill him.
As if—
Killing Arin would bring immense benefit.
Though it didn't even know—
What a Tailed Beast could possibly gain.
But instinct—
Drove it.
Meanwhile—
Inside Arin's shadow world—
The fox demon lying in the forest lifted its head.
Looking at the reflection of reality in the sky—
"…Why do I feel like someone is about to steal my identity?"
Besides being a fox—
Did it have another identity?
It felt like something important was missing.
But—
It couldn't remember.
As if its memories had been erased.
And yet—
It could still think clearly.
"…Whatever."
It lowered its head again.
Thinking was tiring.
…
Back in reality—
Mito naturally ignored the Nine-Tails' request.
Since when—
Had she ever fulfilled its wishes?
The Nine-Tails negotiating with her?
Even Hashirama wouldn't dare.
"I'm just curious…"
"Why exactly do you provoke such disgust from the Nine-Tails?"
She looked at Arin with interest.
From his reaction—
He already knew she was a jinchūriki.
That wasn't surprising.
Many in the village knew.
"…I have no idea either."
Arin scratched his head.
Was it because of the Demonic Statue fragment in his inventory?
But—
It was just a fragment.
What kind of aura could it have?
He thought for a while—
But found no answer.
It can't be because of me as a person… right?
He wasn't Senju Hashirama.
"Perhaps it's some kind of power you possess," Mito said with a smile, not dwelling on it further.
For the Nine-Tails—
To call something its "life's greatest wish"—
Was quite rare.
"Sorry for the disturbance."
Arin bowed slightly.
"You children go ahead and play."
"I won't disturb you."
Mito stood up—
And walked upstairs.
Kushina walked over—
Staring at the kunai in Arin's hand.
Arin withdrew his gaze.
Uzumaki Mito—
Was still one of Konoha's strongest forces.
With the Uzumaki clan's sealing techniques—
She might even surpass Hiruzen.
And with the Strength of a Hundred Seal—
She could still fight at her peak.
But—
She probably didn't have long left.
Arin looked at Kushina.
"…Do you like it?"
"WHY IS IT A KUNAI?!"
Kushina pointed at it.
"Brother Arin, did you not prepare anything and just grabbed a kunai?!"
"See? I told you—" Nawaki spread his hands.
BONK!
Nawaki clutched his head and crouched down.
Arin smiled at Kushina.
"This is a kunai with a ribbon."
"How can that not count as a gift?"
"You don't… dislike it, do you?"
THE RIBBON DOESN'T MATTER THAT MUCH!!!
Both Kushina and Nawaki screamed internally.
Kushina lowered her head slightly.
"…I like it."
She didn't dare say otherwise.
She didn't want to get punched.
WHO GIVES GIFTS BY THREATENING PEOPLE?!
"That's good."
Arin placed the ribbon-tied kunai into her hand.
Perfect.
Everything—
Resolved smoothly.
…
The three sat around the tea table.
"So, Nawaki…"
"What exactly are you training?"
Arin asked curiously.
"A secret technique to defeat you, Brother!"
Nawaki grinned brightly.
"As long as I break through this bottleneck—"
"I'll definitely catch up to you!"
"As for what it is—secret."
"…Good luck with that."
Arin shrugged.
He wasn't optimistic.
He was already approaching Kage-level.
No matter how hard Nawaki trained—
Catching up was impossible.
Still—
After returning to the village—
"…It feels so peaceful."
He took a sip of tea.
A breeze passed through the window—
Circling the room—
Carrying a refreshing coolness.
…
Back home—
Arin saw Machi sprawled on the sofa.
"You look exhausted."
Machi rolled her eyes.
"Danzo treats us like tools."
And tools—
Didn't get to complain about being tired.
"He even has me monitoring the Uchiha."
"Those scarlet eyes are ridiculous."
"Any slight disturbance and they notice immediately."
One mistake—
And she'd be exposed.
"Looks like he values your concealment ability."
Arin understood immediately.
Nen's Zetsu—
Could suppress one's presence perfectly.
Even the Sharingan and Byakugan—
Would struggle to detect her.
Even if noticed—
She'd just seem like an ordinary person.
"…I miss being free."
Machi complained.
Sure—
It used to be dangerous.
But at least—
She had freedom.
Now—
She was basically working 24/7.
Even a Spider—
Had to work to survive.
"…Be careful. Don't let him find out."
Arin shook his head.
In a way—
She was working for him.
Monitoring Danzo.
"Got it."
Machi stuck out her tongue.
Inside—
A black seal faintly appeared.
Cursed Tongue Eradication Seal.
Standard for Root members.
But—
Arin had removed it on the very first day.
At that moment—
Hyuga Natsuna carefully stepped out of the kitchen.
Both of them turned to look at her.
She looked like she was about to cry.
"I… didn't hear anything."
"Really."
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